Eswatini woman sentenced after losing E26,000 to online gambling
The accused told the crown she intended to use the money to gamble with the hope of doubling it and keeping any extra winnings.
Eswatini.- An Eswatini court has handed a custodial sentence to a woman who admitted stealing E26,000 (€1,350) from her employer and losing it all on an online gambling platform.
The accused, Sibongile Ruth Malaza, pleaded guilty to a charge of theft before Principal Magistrate Musa Nxumalo. Prosecutors said Malaza, who worked for the complainant at his mobile money business, transferred the funds from his account into her own before betting on the Aviator game hosted on the MulaSport platform. The game, part of a category of “crash” betting applications, has surged in popularity across southern Africa due to its fast-paced format.
In court, Malaza told the crown she intended to use the money to gamble with the hope of doubling it and keeping any extra winnings. She ultimately lost the entire amount. Magistrate Nxumalo accepted her guilty plea without requiring further evidence, relying on a previously recorded statement of facts in which she admitted the offence.
Malaza asked for leniency, explaining that she lacked assets or employment prospects to repay the complainant. However, the court convicted her according to the plea and sentenced her to one year’s imprisonment without the option of a fine.
The ruling comes as industry stakeholders call for stronger consumer protections in Eswatini’s gambling sector. In a recent parliamentary session, members urged the government to finalise long-overdue gambling control regulations to close oversight gaps, protect minors and reduce problem gambling.
